Teacher unions have strongly criticised the Department of Basic Education for failing to address the chronic shortage of maths teachers.
Teacher Unions Slam Education Department
According to Mail&Guardian, The South African Democratic Teachers Union’s (Sadtu) Mugwena Maluleka questioned the department’s human resource management.
Noting that while universities continue to produce education graduates, many learners’ needs are still being neglected.
This follows shocking revelations that 464 schools across South Africa no longer offer mathematics as a subject.
Naptosa’s Basil Manuel added that the growing number of schools without mathematics undermines the future of the country’s education system.
According to the department, the affected schools include 135 in KwaZulu-Natal, 84 in the Eastern Cape, 78 in Limpopo and 61 in the Western Cape.
Nationally, the percentage of learners opting to study maths dropped from 46% in 2011 to 34% in 2023.
In 2024, only 255 762 learners registered for maths, down from 268 100 in 2023.
Resource and Teacher Shortages Blamed
Department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga acknowledged that while maths remains a high-priority subject. Many schools lack the resources or demand to offer both maths and mathematical literacy.
Sadtu claims that schools in rural areas are pressuring learners in Grade 10 and above not to take maths, fearing poor performance might lower matric pass rates.
Maluleka stressed that the department must take responsibility for such practices.
Learner Performance Still Lags Behind
Research by the Human Sciences Research Council and Parliamentary Monitoring Group in 2023 found that many learners in early grades lack basic maths skills.
South African Grade 9 learners ranked 38th out of 39 countries in maths and finished last in science. While Grade 5 maths performance placed the country 62nd out of 64 nations.
Despite a slight improvement in the 2024 maths pass rate to 69.1% (up from 63.5% in 2023), the numbers remain troubling.
The Western Cape led with the highest pass rates in both maths (78%) and science (79.4%).
Call for Systemic Reform
Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi urged the department to raise the 50% pass benchmark and equip more learners with skills for higher education and jobs.
Tertiary institutions require 60% to 75% in maths and science for STEM programmes.
Unisa’s Prof Ramodungoane Tabane said the shortage of STEM graduates threatens the country’s development.
Highlighting that South Africa has only one engineer per 3 100 people—compared to Germany’s one per 200.
Education Activists Urge Urgent Action
Education activist Hendrick Makaneta stressed the importance of transforming the education system with a strong focus on STEM.
“Our future depends on learners gaining the skills these subjects provide. The world is evolving, and our system must evolve too,” he said.
What do you think needs to change to improve maths education in South Africa’s public schools?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
